Jain Journal 2006 07

Author(s): Jain Bhawan Publication
Publisher: Jain Bhawan Publication

Page 22

BAHUBALI MESSENGER OF PEACE
Dr. Hampa Nagarajaiah
Preamble:
Nestled close to the two hills, Sravanabelagola, the Pompei of Jainism and the Vatican city of Jaina community, famed and haloed for a prolonged period of over two millennia, has preserved virtually intact, a vibrant and vigorous religious tradition of peace and tranquility. The monolithic colossus of 58.8 feet of Bahubali stands nude atop Vindhyagiri Hill, with unbound compassion as his clothing and the open sky as his shelter. His heart beats for the entire mankind. The radint Bahubali in his ascetic form is truly splendid. The tall and majestic figure, exposed to scorching sun, rain, biting cold and abresive dust for over a thousand years and more, is as fresh and well-polished as the devout sculptor gave it shape. Camuṇḍarāya, minister and armychief of the Ganga kings, commissioned the granite statue and formally consecrated it in the early hours of Sunday the 13th March 981 CE. The gifted sculptor in a feat of surpassing artistic skill and strength, concentrated on creating a representation of the deep meditative mood of Bahubali, an embodiment of peace. The radiating spiritual strength is derived from a long and strenuous practice of yoga.
The Legend:
Rṣabhadeva (Adinatha), the first Tirthankara, divided his empire amongst his sons and retired into a forest retreat for practising incredible austerities. Bharata, eldest son, unwilling to share the power directed his brothers to surrender to his suzerainty. Except his immediate brother Bahubali, all other brothers renounced their worldly claims, joined their father and accepted the vows of recluse.
Refusing to acknowledge his brother's sovereignity, the selfrespected Bahubali answered, 'Let us meet on the battle ground'! Bharata marched on his brother with a large army. Bahubali and Bharata were the earliest to propound a no war policy, bidding farewell to arms and army. The duel was of three types: